Free Web NovelChapter 314: Chapter 313: Completely Emptying the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Gu Zhao had returned to the modern world for a reason!
’He had accumulated seven more Thunder Seeds in his Sea of Consciousness. Wasn’t it time to recruit seven more... worthy individuals, and fulfill their decades-long dream of Cultivation?’
"I... I can’t go on. Let me rest for a bit."
Jiang Shishi lay on her side, her rolling peaks trembling like an earthquake.
As for Xiao Ya, she was already panting, her eyes staring blankly into space.
"You were in seclusion for so long. Were you just conserving your energy the whole time?" Jiang Shishi couldn’t help but ask.
"Yep," Gu Zhao nodded.
Xiao Ya asked, "Doesn’t the Taoist Family have a method for Refining Essence and Qi?"
"But the Taoist Family also has the Bedroom Skill!" Gu Zhao said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The two women were speechless.
"It’s a good thing you came out of seclusion yesterday. We’re going abroad for a performance tour again tomorrow." Xiao Ya rolled over and draped herself across Gu Zhao’s body.
"But the New Year is almost here. Why are you heading out again?" Gu Zhao asked.
"That’s exactly why. It’s for a New Year’s concert tour," Jiang Shishi said, ticking off on her fingers. "We’ll be touring a few countries in Southeast Asia again."
Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow. "Going to Siam again?"
"We are," Jiang Shishi nodded, then held up the Golden Gang Bracelet on her wrist. She giggled. "But we’re not scared at all this time."
Last year, during a tour with their traditional orchestra, Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya were nearly ambushed in Siam. However, because they were each carrying a Celestial Spirit Talisman, not only were they unharmed, but they ended up sending the father-and-son Mage duo to the hospital.
And that was the end of that. No matter how much influence Mongkha had in Siam, it couldn’t reach them back home.
As for whether it would be dangerous for them to go to Siam again...
What a joke!
Gu Zhao smiled and nodded, then took out a business card and handed it to Jiang Shishi. "If you run into any trouble, call this number."
"The Taoist Cultural Exchange Support Office?" Jiang Shishi took the card and examined it, asking curiously, "Is this office more effective abroad than Wang Runheng?"
Wang Runheng was a wealthy businessman from Port City whom Gu Zhao had once saved.
"Much more effective. This is real state-level power," Gu Zhao said with a smile.
"Huh?"
...
The next day, after seeing off Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi, Gu Zhao arrived at the Celestial Master’s Mansion.
"Martial Uncle Zhi Qing, Martial Uncle Zhixiu," Gu Zhao greeted with a smile.
Martial Uncle Zhi Qing stuck out his small, round belly. His eyes, fixed on Gu Zhao, were filled with anticipation and a hint of gentle complaint. "Are you here to pick us up this time?"
Come to think of it, the first Daoist with any Cultivation that Gu Zhao had met on his first visit to the Celestial Master’s Mansion was Taoist Zhi Qing. That had been over a year ago, when Daluo Palace only had Taoist Yan Song and Taoist Yi Hong.
He had personally witnessed Taoist Ming Yu cast the Golden Light Curse and knew that Taoist Ming Yu was the one who had demonstrated his power during the Berkeley incident. In fact, he knew quite a lot of inside information, which was why he had been waiting all this time.
However...
He waited and waited, and now Daluo Palace had over twenty Elders. Taoist Zhi Qing had watched as Taoist Ming Chong was taken away, and even Changyi—who had been "neglecting his duties" to study abroad in Huaqi Country—had been recruited. Yet, here he was, still at the Celestial Master’s Mansion, managing mundane affairs.
Taoist Zhi Qing looked utterly miserable.
"Yes, yes, yes! I’m here for you!" Gu Zhao nodded immediately, afraid that Taoist Zhi Qing might actually start crying.
It was Taoist Zhi Xiu, standing to the side, who interjected, "Recently, there have been quite a few suspicious individuals around the Celestial Master’s Mansion, including some foreign Cultivators."
Taoist Zhi Xiu was a handsome, middle-aged man with an upright posture, a square jaw, and a classic three-stranded beard. His image was far more impressive than Taoist Zhi Qing’s; no wonder he was the one sent to preside over Daoist ceremonies in various places.
Taoist Zhi Qing patted his junior martial brother’s shoulder. "That’s why someone has to stay behind and guard the Celestial Master’s Mansion. You’ll have to bear with it for a while. Once we’ve trained some new blood for the Mansion, I’ll come back for you."
Taoist Zhi Xiu shot his senior martial brother a sidelong glance and immediately retorted, "What I meant was, since you have so much experience managing the Celestial Master’s Mansion’s secular affairs, you’re better equipped to handle this. As for facing the unknown, it’s best if I, your junior brother, scout the path ahead."
Taoist Zhi Qing was so angry he nearly jumped. "Our two martial uncles and Changyi have all gone already! What ’unknown’ are you talking about!"
Gu Zhao burst out laughing. "Don’t worry, there are enough spots this time. You can both go. As for the mundane duties at the Celestial Master’s Mansion, you can just discuss it and take turns coming back."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Zhao pointed his finger, and two Thunder Seeds flew into the foreheads of Taoist Zhi Qing and Taoist Zhi Xiu.
A moment later...
"Sect Leader!" the two Daoists exclaimed, bowing in unison.
There was, after all, a difference between having a Thunder Seed and not. Only now were they qualified to know all matters concerning Daluo Palace.
"Blessed Infinite Celestial Venerable!" Taoist Zhi Qing made a single-handed bow. "I had my suspicions, but I never imagined it would be a world so perfectly suited for Cultivation."
Taoist Zhi Xiu’s eyes gleamed, a flash of excitement crossing his face. "The Thunder Seed allows one to gain merit by Eradicating Evil and Accumulating Merit, and that world is filled with Demons and Ghosts. Isn’t it practically tailor-made for us?"
Forming a Seal Technique with his left hand, a bolt of lightning struck from the clear sky. Taoist Zhi Qing was ecstatic. "My Celestial Book Thunder Seal technique works! I can use Thunder Techniques now!"
Even though Taoist Zhi Qing had only just received the Thunder Seed, the baptism it provided had activated his Innate Qi, granting him some basic Magical Power. Just as Taoist Ming Yu had been able to cast the Golden Light Curse right after receiving his Thunder Seed, Taoist Zhi Qing could now use some Minor Magic.
He extended his right hand, and a bolt of purple lightning shot forth, coalescing into a drill made entirely of Thunderbolt. With a flick of his wrist, the Thunder Drill transformed into a Thunder Axe.
However, Taoist Zhi Qing quickly found his Magical Power wanting. He had to retract it, and the weapon condensed from Thunderbolt dissipated as well.
Gu Zhao had read about the Celestial Book Thunder Talisman in the library of the Taoist Research Institute. It was a type of Shenxiao Thunder Skill, but its method of attack wasn’t various Thunder Curses. Instead, it focused on condensing Thunderbolt into different weapons, which was rather unorthodox.
After watching Taoist Zhi Qing, Gu Zhao turned his attention to Taoist Zhi Xiu.
Taoist Zhi Xiu narrowed his eyes, circulated the Qi from his Dantian upward, and let out a sharp, "Hmph!"
It was just a light snort, but Taoist Zhi Qing, who was standing nearby, felt his Divine Soul tremble. He staggered, nearly falling over. "What was that?"
A smile appeared on Taoist Zhi Xiu’s face. "This is the Supreme Zhengyi Five Sounds Truth-Breaking Secret Talisman. It’s a Cultivation Technique that uses the five musical notes to regulate the Five Qi, but it also has the effect of exorcising evil and subduing demons."
Gu Zhao clicked his tongue in admiration. "Everyone’s got a special trick up their sleeve!"
As he said this, Gu Zhao glanced outside. With a slight flicker of his Divine Sense, he locked onto four individuals in Shangqing Town.
One was a blond, blue-eyed Caucasian; another was a short man from Southeast Asia; and the last two were a pair who let a few words of Japanese slip out as they spoke in low voices.
When Taoist Zhi Qing and Taoist Zhi Xiu had just cast their magic, the fluctuation of Magical Power had far exceeded that of an ordinary modern-day Cultivator, immediately drawing the attention of these four people outside the Celestial Master’s Mansion.
However, before their eyes could even gleam with intent as they tried to approach the Celestial Master’s Mansion to investigate, a clap of thunder suddenly echoed in their Divine Souls.
"BOOM!"
The thunderclap roared in their Seas of Consciousness, shaking the four so violently they all collapsed to the ground. Then, a voice boomed in their Divine Souls: "The Celestial Master’s Mansion is a holy site of the Taoist Sect. How dare you worthless curs spy on it? Begone!"
